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Traffic advice for St Patrick’s Day in Belfast

14 Mar 2018

Traffic diversions will be in place in and around Belfast city centre this Saturday, 17 March from 11am to 2pm due to the annual St Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade.

Academy Street and the top of Donegall Street will be closed from approximately 8am to 2pm and there will be no on street parking along the parade route from 9pm on Friday, 16 March until 2pm on Saturday 17 March.

The parade will depart Royal Avenue at 11:30am on Saturday, travelling along a new route through Castle Junction and along Donegall Place, before snaking its way around Belfast City Hall, and then returning along the same route to finish on Royal Avenue.

Translink will operate a normal service throughout the day on Saturday, 17 March, although some diversionary pick up and drop off points will be used from 11am to 2pm. For the latest information, see www.translink.co.uk

Drivers should also expect delays and diversions due to the SPAR Craic 10K event. More than 1,000 runners will leave Belfast City Hall at 9am, taking in both sides of the River Lagan before finishing on the Titanic Slipways. A Traffic Management System and signage will be in place and motorists should follow directions of Police, any signage and exercise caution along the route. For more information go to www.aisling-events.com

Caution should be exercised when driving in and around the Custom House Square, Queen’s Square and Victoria Street areas due to the large volume of pedestrians attending the free concert featuring Aston Merrygold, Slide Step, Tír Na n-Óg, Tanaka and JORD, Pure Blarney and the Rare Aul Stuff from 1:30pm until 4pm.